Casting peals before swine will never yield anything of value. I have long thought we were outnumbered by less educated and less ethical people and so it seems we are. In the 70s as women began to have a say in both work and family, those who had success and ambition left flyover country for the more engaging urban areas. They had smaller families and fewer children. I won't venture to describe those who did not, but both groups now have grand children that vote, and they were wiped into a froth with hatred for the "other". Let's see what happens, but they made promises that are impossible and at odds with themselves. As Fran Leibowitz put it, cyanide or salad? We picked the poison. I also took time off from the news, and so much of the media once more treated the winner as a sane and normal person...why?
There were so many times during this election season when news shows just harped on poll after poll when their accuracy was seriously in doubt. You are right. They are now covering the transition as if it should be normal. Biden should be hiding the White House china.
This is grief!!! I've walked among trees where I find peace and strength. I deleted fb from my phone. I continue to read HCR, The Front Page, Lucien Truscott, and a few others. I do not watch the news, rather I read books and depend on newspapers. Someone offered me leftover Halloween candy, I took it and ate way too much. I've discovered the Paradox of Tolerance, written in 1945. I've suggested to others they read Vicktor Frankel's, Mans Search for Meaning and Elie Weisel's Night. I watched Will and Hunter on Neflix. I highly recommend it. I've returned to my sewing and sorting. I sleep well. However, when I sit down to read, the gut punch and pit in my stomach returns. But, I am, in no way, giving up. We women have work to do, again!!! January 20th would be a good day to rise up and let the world know we women of all races, sexual orientation and culture will not tolerate the intolerable.
I agree with those who encourage resistance, even in the face of being surrounded by people who drink the Cool Aid. The harassment of the Light Brigade is just one example of their mindset. Somehow, in many and steadfast ways, we have to defend our convictions and our rights. I also feel that the bumpy ride ahead will reveal the nefarious intentions to the general populace and they will begin to feel the loss of their freedoms. One last thing, if the current administration doesn't act somehow, I for one, will be deeply disappointed.
Pres.Biden has 74 days - Just to throw a little levity in there - He also has complete immunity for official acts, remember!!! I do wish he would bring himself to USE it. Even just to protect some of our freedoms that are in danger. (if wishes were horses??)
.. but ncpr might be as objective as it gets.... but they never call out pos_tfnKKK as the threat to democracy (and facts) that she is. If they did, they would be putting up a story every week how she is lying to ny21
and I can't overlook that you and P-S has not covered her fairly (pointing out her lies)
In fact, I sense you have editorialized on pos_tfnKKK more in the last month than all your time at P-S.
Looks like we may lose Stefanik as our representative. The question now is who will replace her? Will it be an appointment? Or a special election? I think it depends on when she leaves office.
Thanks, Connie. We found a complimentary copy of the Tines Union on our driveway yesterday morning (promotion or mis-delivery?) I was duly impressed with the content. Has us thinking about subscribing. Your input helps. Hope this finds you doing well.
Thank you so much for this piece. As a person with a degree in information science and media studies, you hit an important nail in the coffin of democracy. Truth matters. When oligarchs are determined (and Elon given billions) to ruin information sources (Twitter was an amazing product for elevating discourse), or Bezos embracing amelioration, what's the point?
In addition to entertainment ’news’ shows, social media outlets with unscrupulous owners and Alex Jones types of commentators have become major and primary sources of ‘news’ and information for a significant number of people. Many of these sources are unchecked by any sense of obligation to not lie to the public or concern about the impact of their words on our civil society. Instead, they are completely focused on achieving their goals of wealth, power and control.
Until we figure out some legal safeguards to catch up to these new modes of information delivery, especially in the absence of the Fairness Doctrine, the promulgation and sheep-like acceptance of mass lies as truth will continue, enabling undemocratic and authoritarian political leaders to follow suit.
I think Big Media has unfortunately been tarred by the far left progressive/elitist brush over the past 10 years. David Brooks, a moderate Democrat, wrote a NYT Opinion piece on 11/6. He presents a fair analysis of why we are now faced with fear and uncertainty surrounding the next 4 years.
Went back and read Brooks’ article- excellent and interesting perspective and not one I’ve seen elsewhere- although I’ve been avoiding most commentary while I digest what’s happened. If my steel worker uncles were still alive I’m sure they would have voted for Trump.
What Republican has ever demonstrated empathy? It seems like they are only interested in power. They tout freedom for everyone, but they want to decide what you read, what you can watch or do and potentially control your actions and travel. We have to prepare for the 2026 midterms.
R.I.P. John McCain was the last of the empathetic Republicans.
And he was dishonored in his last days on the planet when tRump and Stefanik refused to utter Sen. McCain’s name up at Fort Drum as they boasted about the passing of the Military DEFENSE bill…NAMED after our POW survivor and Senator JOHN MCCAIN!
I think one reason people are so disillusioned with the media is because of the lack of fact base reporting and the skewed headlines to attract readers. I also believe that there is a double standard in reporting that needs to be examined and there should be disclaimers on the media that people believe is “news” when it is truly just opinions which is both Fox and MSNBC. If there was a way to bring back our daily newspapers and have it delivered to our homes as in the past, it would help us all. Unfortunately, the lack has truly hurt our communities and voters. I have no answers or solutions but I am thankful for you and Will and your continued writing.
I am talking about the NYT and the WP. I feel like the editors gave Trump so many passes and “explained” his statements versus just reporting what he said.
The scare tactics around Prop 1 worked in the region.
The irony is that many of our neighbors were worked into a lather at a Queensbury town board meeting about Prop 1 supposedly opening the door to transgender boys or boys pretending to be transgender raping girls in school bathrooms, dominating girls on sports teams, and kids getting gender reassignment at school. I am convinced these people really believed these were real possibilities, but about 2 weeks before that meeting there was some sort of sexual assault on a Lake George/Warrensburg/Bolton school bus for which an 18 year old boy has been charged.
Very little news has been released about this incident despite, or because, numerous young athletes apparently watched and even video recorded the assault against what can only be assumed was a teammate.
These sorts of incidents happen regularly and assaults on young women and LGBTQ youth happen far more often and in fact are a daily occurrence across America. Our neighbors in Queensbury fought against putting positive language into our state constitution protecting the rights of those abused groups of people while the opposition ignores the very real problems that women, men, and trans individuals, and children face.
In this nation we have come to accept that in some states a 10 or 11 year old girl must carry the child of her own father to term despite the lifetime of psychological damage he inflicted on her and the very likely chance she could die because of what my neighbors insist are parental rights.
Thank you to the majority of N.Y. voters who chose to insist that children are endowed with unalienable rights apart from the “parental rights” of abusive elders and put that language into our constitution.
Mike, I watched part of that town board meeting and one person made the point that both sides used scare tactics to advance their position.
Several people questioned the amendment due to lack of clarity in its wording, and after reading it several times I’ll bet we’ll need an influx of lawyers to handle the new disputes.
I know the speaker you reference, and he is wrong about “both sides.” The proponents of Prop 1 - which is clear and understandable - point to real reasons to fear that rights could be taken away: rights have already been taken. We have SCOTUS justices who swore in their Senate hearings that Roe was settled law - then they turned around to negate settled law. That was a taking of fundamental human rights, and with the courts throwing questions of women’s rights back to the states where we are seeing that women are dying for lack of medical intervention it is very clear that the fear is not simply a tactic but very real and with reason.
The argument that the proposition was “vague” is nonsense as well. People question what “age” means. It is very clear what age means. The idea that there will be lawsuits comes with the territory of law. What does “a well-regulated militia being necessary” mean?
If you watched perhaps you saw the elderly man who came with his daughter to oppose Prop 1. He thought nothing of threatening that he would take his grandchildren out of school.
Where exactly does the Constitution give him rights over his grandchildren?
And if you watched then you heard me speak not about fear but about the fundamental principles of a government by the people and for the people.
There is a huge irony that the so-called “parental rights” supporters are the ones who would seek to deny a woman’s right to decide if she becomes a parent or not, or again. They feel they have the right to decide what sex other people’s children are, what bathroom those children are allowed to urinate and defecate in, what sports teams they are allowed to play on.
Often “parental rights” is a code for an abusive sort of paternalism that doesn’t allow children to grow into the world with their own ideas about personal expression or belief systems. Often it is cover for familial cultism that children and adults can’t escape.
Perhaps some of these people, these abusers, are afraid that children given explicit rights will turn away from the abuse their parents shower on them calling it love.
it's clear who lost in this election: democracy, our earth, decency, free press, truth, justice, fairness...the list goes on. And who won: ignorance, hatred, greed, lies, ignorance. Shameful and heartsickening to know that people actually voted for those who would harm so much of what is precious. Our work will be to continually support what is good--your work, Ken, and Heather Cox Richardson, and so many other writers who I read everyday, and PBS, Times Union, Will Bunch, the Post Star (even with its problems, it still gives "news" about the climate crisis, still gives voice to thoughtful opinions)--and some of our good governors and senators, and all the organizations and people who have worked so hard for justice, for our earth for so many years. And to speak what is true. When I heard Kamala Harris give her "concession" speech, she was so gracious, so good, so intelligent, so clear and thoughtful about what we need to hold to, about our now path., I thought of the vast difference between her--who could and should have been elected--and the unhinged, dangerous person who our American citizens voted for, their stupid lies, their greed, their power...and our need now to defend all that is good in all ways.
Thank you for a very positive and determined reaction. This is what we need now. I am thankful for knowing that we are not alone, that others think as we do.
...she could have been President- if Democrats wanted her to be. Biden received over 81 million votes. Harris is at ca. 70 million. [Did they not grasp what was/is at stake?] Democrats did not vote...
Oh gosh tthis is a dark picture. If my kids were not so well informed and pushing back all the time it would be hard to get out of bed.
At some point we have to do a better job of reconciling the fact that news is produced to sell these days. Feature stories are what they think we want to hear.
When it comes to TV, they are giving their viewers what they want. The surveys often say people don't want to watch because there is too much bad news. So what do you do when that day there is nothing but bad news. They still run a feel good story.
Collins has already announced her candidacy for the next election. We need to help build local democratic committees in every hamlet. We need to make sure there is funding for a variety of media coverage. We have work to do. Across the country all the rural areas were red.
I will not bow to darkness.
Will we rise. We must.
https://open.substack.com/pub/albellenchia/p/until-we-rise?r=7wk5d&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Thank you!!!!
The term you are going to be hearing a lot is "The Resistence."
the resistance is at odds.. more corrupt judges, and likely supreme court judges
On Jan6, 2021, people who believed in the lies.. stormed democracy
and now, when there is real tryanny.. what will the resistance be.
nice...
Hello darkness, my old feind
Casting peals before swine will never yield anything of value. I have long thought we were outnumbered by less educated and less ethical people and so it seems we are. In the 70s as women began to have a say in both work and family, those who had success and ambition left flyover country for the more engaging urban areas. They had smaller families and fewer children. I won't venture to describe those who did not, but both groups now have grand children that vote, and they were wiped into a froth with hatred for the "other". Let's see what happens, but they made promises that are impossible and at odds with themselves. As Fran Leibowitz put it, cyanide or salad? We picked the poison. I also took time off from the news, and so much of the media once more treated the winner as a sane and normal person...why?
There were so many times during this election season when news shows just harped on poll after poll when their accuracy was seriously in doubt. You are right. They are now covering the transition as if it should be normal. Biden should be hiding the White House china.
This is grief!!! I've walked among trees where I find peace and strength. I deleted fb from my phone. I continue to read HCR, The Front Page, Lucien Truscott, and a few others. I do not watch the news, rather I read books and depend on newspapers. Someone offered me leftover Halloween candy, I took it and ate way too much. I've discovered the Paradox of Tolerance, written in 1945. I've suggested to others they read Vicktor Frankel's, Mans Search for Meaning and Elie Weisel's Night. I watched Will and Hunter on Neflix. I highly recommend it. I've returned to my sewing and sorting. I sleep well. However, when I sit down to read, the gut punch and pit in my stomach returns. But, I am, in no way, giving up. We women have work to do, again!!! January 20th would be a good day to rise up and let the world know we women of all races, sexual orientation and culture will not tolerate the intolerable.
I agree with those who encourage resistance, even in the face of being surrounded by people who drink the Cool Aid. The harassment of the Light Brigade is just one example of their mindset. Somehow, in many and steadfast ways, we have to defend our convictions and our rights. I also feel that the bumpy ride ahead will reveal the nefarious intentions to the general populace and they will begin to feel the loss of their freedoms. One last thing, if the current administration doesn't act somehow, I for one, will be deeply disappointed.
Pres.Biden has 74 days - Just to throw a little levity in there - He also has complete immunity for official acts, remember!!! I do wish he would bring himself to USE it. Even just to protect some of our freedoms that are in danger. (if wishes were horses??)
Well said...Thank you..
I highly recommend getting a subscription to the Times Union. I read the e-edition every morning since the demise of the Post Star.
I recommend the T-U and North Country Public Radio for coverage of Stefanik.
I don't know about T-U
.. but ncpr might be as objective as it gets.... but they never call out pos_tfnKKK as the threat to democracy (and facts) that she is. If they did, they would be putting up a story every week how she is lying to ny21
and I can't overlook that you and P-S has not covered her fairly (pointing out her lies)
In fact, I sense you have editorialized on pos_tfnKKK more in the last month than all your time at P-S.
Looks like we may lose Stefanik as our representative. The question now is who will replace her? Will it be an appointment? Or a special election? I think it depends on when she leaves office.
Of course, if her loss means Republicans lose the House Speakership then she will not be giving another appointment.
I'm a big fan of NCPR...guess I'll have to get the Times Union e-edition..thanks
Thanks, Connie. We found a complimentary copy of the Tines Union on our driveway yesterday morning (promotion or mis-delivery?) I was duly impressed with the content. Has us thinking about subscribing. Your input helps. Hope this finds you doing well.
Thanks Don. Yes-feeling better. The interesting thing is that they cover local stores as well and have really educated me on NYS issues.
I will consider it also.
Thank you so much for this piece. As a person with a degree in information science and media studies, you hit an important nail in the coffin of democracy. Truth matters. When oligarchs are determined (and Elon given billions) to ruin information sources (Twitter was an amazing product for elevating discourse), or Bezos embracing amelioration, what's the point?
To paraphrase A. Lincoln: “The news [sic] is not news[sic] unless it is the truth.” (Abe used “history”)
In addition to entertainment ’news’ shows, social media outlets with unscrupulous owners and Alex Jones types of commentators have become major and primary sources of ‘news’ and information for a significant number of people. Many of these sources are unchecked by any sense of obligation to not lie to the public or concern about the impact of their words on our civil society. Instead, they are completely focused on achieving their goals of wealth, power and control.
Until we figure out some legal safeguards to catch up to these new modes of information delivery, especially in the absence of the Fairness Doctrine, the promulgation and sheep-like acceptance of mass lies as truth will continue, enabling undemocratic and authoritarian political leaders to follow suit.
once you hand your
• intelligence
• cognitive reasoning
• ability to figure out reality
to the abyss
Congratulations, you just destroyed democracy, thank you gQp
I was quite surprised that Stefanik was in Louisiana to watch and then celebrate the election results.
I thought she would've been down in Mar-a-Lago alongside her beloved Don.
Apparently after the results came, Stefanik, Scalise and Johnson all flew to Mar-a-Lago. I'm sure on someone's private jet.
Sure looks that way. I just saw the lineup of sycophants in a video and there, lo & behold was Elise, grinning away.
Also saw some reporting that Stefanik may be named to some position in the Trump Administration. I hope that's true. We can be rid of her, finally.
I wonder if Schermerhorn flew them all down there. I fully expect him to run for Governor.
O.M.G.
I think about the rich and powerful
We get hints of what they are like with how they own the republicans on the supreme court
it is clear 72 million people voted for a party that is owned by the rich and powerful… and they never get to fly on a private jet
I think Big Media has unfortunately been tarred by the far left progressive/elitist brush over the past 10 years. David Brooks, a moderate Democrat, wrote a NYT Opinion piece on 11/6. He presents a fair analysis of why we are now faced with fear and uncertainty surrounding the next 4 years.
Went back and read Brooks’ article- excellent and interesting perspective and not one I’ve seen elsewhere- although I’ve been avoiding most commentary while I digest what’s happened. If my steel worker uncles were still alive I’m sure they would have voted for Trump.
Thanks for the referral to the article.
We’ve begun the Russification Decade under our leader Trump.
Resist.
She’s busy angling to be UN ambassador. She takes credit for funding projects that she voted against. I can’t wait to be rid of her.
One would think a UN ambassador would need some empathy.
What Republican has ever demonstrated empathy? It seems like they are only interested in power. They tout freedom for everyone, but they want to decide what you read, what you can watch or do and potentially control your actions and travel. We have to prepare for the 2026 midterms.
R.I.P. John McCain was the last of the empathetic Republicans.
And he was dishonored in his last days on the planet when tRump and Stefanik refused to utter Sen. McCain’s name up at Fort Drum as they boasted about the passing of the Military DEFENSE bill…NAMED after our POW survivor and Senator JOHN MCCAIN!
To answer your question: For one, John McCain.
I think one reason people are so disillusioned with the media is because of the lack of fact base reporting and the skewed headlines to attract readers. I also believe that there is a double standard in reporting that needs to be examined and there should be disclaimers on the media that people believe is “news” when it is truly just opinions which is both Fox and MSNBC. If there was a way to bring back our daily newspapers and have it delivered to our homes as in the past, it would help us all. Unfortunately, the lack has truly hurt our communities and voters. I have no answers or solutions but I am thankful for you and Will and your continued writing.
Again, define media. Don't put community journalism outlets in the same bathwater as the entertainment shows on cable news.
I am talking about the NYT and the WP. I feel like the editors gave Trump so many passes and “explained” his statements versus just reporting what he said.
The scare tactics around Prop 1 worked in the region.
The irony is that many of our neighbors were worked into a lather at a Queensbury town board meeting about Prop 1 supposedly opening the door to transgender boys or boys pretending to be transgender raping girls in school bathrooms, dominating girls on sports teams, and kids getting gender reassignment at school. I am convinced these people really believed these were real possibilities, but about 2 weeks before that meeting there was some sort of sexual assault on a Lake George/Warrensburg/Bolton school bus for which an 18 year old boy has been charged.
Very little news has been released about this incident despite, or because, numerous young athletes apparently watched and even video recorded the assault against what can only be assumed was a teammate.
These sorts of incidents happen regularly and assaults on young women and LGBTQ youth happen far more often and in fact are a daily occurrence across America. Our neighbors in Queensbury fought against putting positive language into our state constitution protecting the rights of those abused groups of people while the opposition ignores the very real problems that women, men, and trans individuals, and children face.
In this nation we have come to accept that in some states a 10 or 11 year old girl must carry the child of her own father to term despite the lifetime of psychological damage he inflicted on her and the very likely chance she could die because of what my neighbors insist are parental rights.
Thank you to the majority of N.Y. voters who chose to insist that children are endowed with unalienable rights apart from the “parental rights” of abusive elders and put that language into our constitution.
This right here! This is not what they worry about!! You are so correct!! Their priorities are so messed up!
Mike, I watched part of that town board meeting and one person made the point that both sides used scare tactics to advance their position.
Several people questioned the amendment due to lack of clarity in its wording, and after reading it several times I’ll bet we’ll need an influx of lawyers to handle the new disputes.
Nonsense.
I know the speaker you reference, and he is wrong about “both sides.” The proponents of Prop 1 - which is clear and understandable - point to real reasons to fear that rights could be taken away: rights have already been taken. We have SCOTUS justices who swore in their Senate hearings that Roe was settled law - then they turned around to negate settled law. That was a taking of fundamental human rights, and with the courts throwing questions of women’s rights back to the states where we are seeing that women are dying for lack of medical intervention it is very clear that the fear is not simply a tactic but very real and with reason.
The argument that the proposition was “vague” is nonsense as well. People question what “age” means. It is very clear what age means. The idea that there will be lawsuits comes with the territory of law. What does “a well-regulated militia being necessary” mean?
If you watched perhaps you saw the elderly man who came with his daughter to oppose Prop 1. He thought nothing of threatening that he would take his grandchildren out of school.
Where exactly does the Constitution give him rights over his grandchildren?
And if you watched then you heard me speak not about fear but about the fundamental principles of a government by the people and for the people.
There is a huge irony that the so-called “parental rights” supporters are the ones who would seek to deny a woman’s right to decide if she becomes a parent or not, or again. They feel they have the right to decide what sex other people’s children are, what bathroom those children are allowed to urinate and defecate in, what sports teams they are allowed to play on.
Often “parental rights” is a code for an abusive sort of paternalism that doesn’t allow children to grow into the world with their own ideas about personal expression or belief systems. Often it is cover for familial cultism that children and adults can’t escape.
Perhaps some of these people, these abusers, are afraid that children given explicit rights will turn away from the abuse their parents shower on them calling it love.
it's clear who lost in this election: democracy, our earth, decency, free press, truth, justice, fairness...the list goes on. And who won: ignorance, hatred, greed, lies, ignorance. Shameful and heartsickening to know that people actually voted for those who would harm so much of what is precious. Our work will be to continually support what is good--your work, Ken, and Heather Cox Richardson, and so many other writers who I read everyday, and PBS, Times Union, Will Bunch, the Post Star (even with its problems, it still gives "news" about the climate crisis, still gives voice to thoughtful opinions)--and some of our good governors and senators, and all the organizations and people who have worked so hard for justice, for our earth for so many years. And to speak what is true. When I heard Kamala Harris give her "concession" speech, she was so gracious, so good, so intelligent, so clear and thoughtful about what we need to hold to, about our now path., I thought of the vast difference between her--who could and should have been elected--and the unhinged, dangerous person who our American citizens voted for, their stupid lies, their greed, their power...and our need now to defend all that is good in all ways.
Thank you, Ken, for your good words.....
Thank you for a very positive and determined reaction. This is what we need now. I am thankful for knowing that we are not alone, that others think as we do.
and thank you, Bea
Once again Bernice, Well said.
...she could have been President- if Democrats wanted her to be. Biden received over 81 million votes. Harris is at ca. 70 million. [Did they not grasp what was/is at stake?] Democrats did not vote...
Oh gosh tthis is a dark picture. If my kids were not so well informed and pushing back all the time it would be hard to get out of bed.
At some point we have to do a better job of reconciling the fact that news is produced to sell these days. Feature stories are what they think we want to hear.
We have work to do. Thanks for calling this out.
When it comes to TV, they are giving their viewers what they want. The surveys often say people don't want to watch because there is too much bad news. So what do you do when that day there is nothing but bad news. They still run a feel good story.
Collins has already announced her candidacy for the next election. We need to help build local democratic committees in every hamlet. We need to make sure there is funding for a variety of media coverage. We have work to do. Across the country all the rural areas were red.
I hope I can help her.